Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-07-01
Mr.. AND MRS. BOWSER.

would be made the victim OF sharpers.
| didn't put it in that way, OF course.
remarked:
"Why, dear, we are so handy to the
street cars, you know, and neither OF us
cares much about riding out"
Yes, but horses are bound to go up,
and Pm offered fine beast ut great
sacrifice"
1--WE got cow at great sacrifice
once"
ooh, we did, eh? Thought you'd be
tliuging that up presently! Whose fault
was it that we had to sell the cow"
"Well, but l wouldn't buy a horse
just now"
"Maybe you wouldn't. You are not
buying a horse, as underestimate. When
l don't know enough to run my business
III turn il over to a woman"
As he was evidently nettled with me,
| dropped the subject at once, but |
knew from the way he bounced the GUS
pidor across the room that he had his
mind set on horse. And it was scarce
ly o'clock next morning before five or
six men were trotting horses up and
down the alley to show of their points.
/ took a seat at side window to watch
them, but Mr.. Bowser soon entered the
house and called out:
"Mrs. Bowser, if you knew how prom
inent your led hair was through that
window you'd take some other seat!"
/ changed to another room, from
which could see through the closed
blinds, and presently all the men and
horses went away but one. The man
had a red nose and squint eye, and the
horse was a raw-boned, numbering gait
ed animal of uncertain age and color.
wouldn't have bought such horse for
a pillow, but Mr. Bowser seemed to be
hard hit.
"Sure he's Dreadnaught, are you ?"
he queried as he lifted mp the animals
big feet as if he expected to find trade
mark on the hoof.
"Look here. Bowser, old man" said
sluint-eye as he com5ed out the horses
name with his fingers, "this is to be a
square deal. Any man as knows you
knows you are up on horsefesh. Might
just rs well try to deceive born jocky
as you. He's a Dreadnaught or don't
want cent"
GA little DID," said Mr.. Bowser, as he
looked into the horses mouth.
"Well, how old?"
"Past eight"
81 won't deny it, Bowser-nO, | won't.
What would be the use? That hoss is
i'm his ninth year. but that's in his favor.
He's settled. He knows what's what.
No prancing around to scare your wife
when he sees bit of paper. An Bow
ger, but you've bought horses before to-
0ay-nunureus Ol eIH
Feet little off, see?"
"Just Il little dry, and that's the fault
of the stahle.boy. Two or three poul-
tices will bring 'em out all o. X"
"Isn't exactly my color" said Mr..
Bowser, AS he stood off and squinted
both eyes.
"See here, Bowser, don't take me for
a cucumber!" replied red nose. "Don't
/ know that that is boss color-dirt ard
dust-proof-best in the world to stand
the sun? And don't you know it, and
won't you pay s25 extra on account of
it?"
Mr.. Bowser looked pleased, and after
whistling softly to himself for a minute
he said
"Well, Peters, what's the lowest?"
"Two hundred, Bowser, and not
cent less TO any human being"
make it $3.50"
The squint-eyed man put on an in-
jured look and turned his gaze into u
vacant lot.
"Well. say sl75."
"Mr. Bowser," he replied, as he slow
ly turned about, "don't know and you
know that Pm sacrificing that hoss
Isn't he worth $3.50 Of any mans money
just AS he stands? And you want TO
split hairs with a man who is square
With your"
"Oh, well, lead him into the barn and
I'll count out the money"
And thats the way the horse changed
hands. Mr.. Bowser had no sooner tied
him up in the stall than he started of
after hay and oats. He was hardly out
of sight when heard an awful thrash
ing in the barn AMI went out there la
find the beast cribbing and kicking. He
pulled b bick and broke his halter while
was there aud as couldn't do anything
| ran inlo house. Not word was said
until after dinner. Mr.. Bowser was
Just bursting to tell me Of his purchase,
but he managed to hold it until we were
clear OF the dining room. then he said !:
"Pye bought a fine horse The doc
tor has advised me TO ride in the saddle
for my health
whats the matter with your health 2"
Lung trouble"
-"Oh. didn't know il. Well, are
you going TO ride?"
"Just going to saddle mp. Watch us
as we come up the alley"
watched. The horse came first, and